Tropical Storm Harvey forms near Honduras

At 1:00 p.m. CDT the center of Tropical Storm Harvey was located near latitude 16.3 north, longitude 84.2 west. Harvey is moving toward the west near 10 mph, 17 km/h. A general westward to west-northwestward motion is expected during the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center of Harvey will pass near the bay islands of Honduras tonight and move across the coast of Belize Saturday or Saturday night.

View full sizeNOAATropical Storm Harvey skirts the northern coast of Honduras in this water vapor satellite image earlier Friday.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for,

The Bay Islands of Honduras

The coast of Belize.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for,

The coast of Honduras

The coast of Guatemala

The southeastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula from Punta Gruesa southward to Chetumal

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 40 mph, 65 km/h, with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast before the center of Harvey reaches Belize.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles, 65 km, mainly to the north of the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb, 29.68 inches.

Tropical-storm-force winds are expected over the bay islands of Honduras tonight, and over the coast of Belize Saturday or Saturday night. Tropical-storm-force winds are possible along the northern coast of Honduras today and tonight, along the northern coast of Guatemala on Saturday, and along the southeastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico Saturday or Saturday night.

Harvey is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 5 inches across Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 8 inches. These rains could produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially over higher terrain.